Device for flanging metal



2 Sheets-Sheet I.

(No Model.)

W. KENT.

DEVIGE FOR FLANGING METAL. No.. 341,020. Patented May 4, 1886.

11/ QTMZJ lnac nior WZZZz am Ken/Z 444 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WVILLIAM KENT, OF JERSEY CITY, NE\V JERSEY.

DEVlCE'. FOR FLANGING METAL.

sB'i ECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 341,020, dated May4,1886.

Application filed November 4, 1855. Serial No. 181,800. (No model.)

To a'ZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM KENT, a citizen of the United States,residing at Jersey City, in the county of Hudson and State of NewJersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Devices forFlanging Metal; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full,clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enableothers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use thesame.

My invention-relates to certain novel and useful improvements in devicesfor flanging metal plates, but more especially for flanging the parallelsides of connecting-boxes for water-tube boilers, and has for its objectto accomplish this result in a rapid and efficient manner; and withthese ends in view my invention consists in certain details ofconstruction and combination of elements, hereinafter fully described,and then specifically designated by the claims.

In order that those skilled in the art to which my invention appertainsmay more fully understand the same, I will proceed to describe itsconstruction and operation in detail, referring by letter to theaccompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which-Figure 1 shows a side elevation of'my improvement as especially adaptedfor fianging the sides of conn'ectingboxes for water-tube boilers; Figs.2, 3, and 4, sections at the lines m at, yy, and z a, respectively, ofFig. 1; Fig. 5, a perspective showing the form of acon necting-boxbefore flanging, and Figs. 6 and 7 side elevations showing modifiedforms of my improvement as utilized for flanging parallel edges that arestraight.

Similar letters denote like parts in the several figures of thedrawings.

A represents the sides of a connecting-box for water-tube boilers.

B is a secondary shaft, having rigidly secured thereto a cog-wheel, C. Dis a worm meshinglwith said cog and secured on the primary or powershaft E.

F is a collar keyed or otherwise secured on the shaft 13, and havingradial arms G projecting therefrom. \Vithin the ends of these arms arejournaled presserwheels H I J. The sides of the wheel II are slightlybeveled, as seen at a, and those of the wheel I have a greater bevel, asseen at I), while the sides of the wheel J are perfectly straight, ornearly so, and at right angles, or thereabout,with the face of thewheel, all as shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4.

The box to be flanged, as shown in Fig. 5, is held in position by meansof a clamp made in three sections, K K R, the central section, B, beingfirst placed within the box, and the side sections, K, then firmlybolted to the cen tral section, thereby securely holding the box. Thebox thus clamped is placed beneath the presser-wheels and within theirfield of action, and as the latter revolve in the direction of the arrowthe wheel H will first pass between the sides A and bend them slightly,as shown at Fig. 2. The wheel I will immediately follow and bend thesides to nearly a right angle, when the wheel J will complete thebending and form the rectangular flange. This arrangement of wheelsjournaled within radial arms adapted to revolve is only necessary whenthe flange is tobe formed on a curve, and I have therefore shown inFigs. 6 and 7 my preferred manner of utilizing my improvement to flangeordinary straight edges that are parallel.

In Fig. 7 the presser wheels are journaled in a frame, L, in the sameorder as that shown in Fig. 1. The upper part of the frame is providedwith friction-rolls M, which travel in a track, N, depending from theceiling or supported on suitable uprights.

In Fig. (5 the same construction is exhibited as in Fig. 7, except thata series of spreaders, O P Q, is used instead of the presser-wheels,these spreaders being beveled, as in the case of said wheels. \Vhen themetal to be flanged is of moderate thickness, I prefer to use thespreaders, the presser-wheels being especially adapted for heavy work.

By the use of my improvement the process of flanging becomes verysimple, while the op eration itself is gradual, being performed by atool which bends the metal by degrees.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. The herein-described means for forming flanges on parallel metalplates, consisting of a clamp to hold the plates and abending device ofarms capable of a movement in a plane parallel to the horizontal planeof the edges to be flanged, said wheels adapted to be forcedsuccessively between and against the said edges, whereby the flanging isaccomplished gradually and by aseries of distinct operations,substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony whereof IafliX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

XVILLIAM KENT. Witnesses:

S. S. \VILLIAMsoN, XV. T. HAVILAND.

